Bad Moms Theaters: Why You Can’t Find Showtimes and What to Do About It
Here’s something that’ll save you 20 minutes of frustrated clicking: Bad Moms isn’t playing in theaters anymore.
Yeah, I know. Your search results are lying to you. AMC’s website still lists it. Fandango shows the movie poster. But when you actually try to buy tickets? Nothing. Zilch. Empty screens where showtimes should be.
The truth is, both Bad Moms movies left regular theatrical rotation years ago. The original Bad Moms wrapped its theater run back in 2016, and Bad Moms Christmas said goodbye to multiplexes in early 2018.
So why are you still finding phantom listings everywhere? Because theater websites are basically the digital equivalent of that drawer where you keep old phone chargers. Nobody cleans them out.
But here’s where it gets interesting. While you can’t catch a regular 7:15 showing on a Tuesday night, these movies haven’t completely vanished from the big screen. They’ve just gone underground.
Sort of.
The Real Deal About Bad Moms Theater Availability Right Now
Let me blow your mind real quick. AMC Theatres still has active pages for both Bad Moms movies. Go ahead, Google it. You’ll find official theater listings, complete with runtime info and everything. Regal? Same deal. Cinemark? Yep, they’re playing along too.
But click through to actually buy tickets, and you’ll hit a wall faster than Mila Kunis downing chardonnay in that grocery store parking lot scene.
The reality? These movies haven’t had regular theatrical showings since 2018. That’s six years of ghost listings haunting movie websites. The original Bad Moms pulled in $183.9 million worldwide on just a $20 million budget. Bad Moms Christmas followed up with $130 million. Not too shabby for a movie about moms who’ve had enough.
So what’s actually happening when you search for Bad Moms theaters? You’re seeing digital fossils. Theater chains keep these pages alive for search engine traffic, not actual showtimes. It’s like keeping your ex’s number in your phone. You’re not gonna call, but deleting it feels… final.
Here’s the kicker though. Special screenings do happen. Just not the way you’d expect.
During Mother’s Day weekend, some AMC locations run ‘Mom’s Night Out’ events featuring both films. Around Christmas, indie theaters sometimes program Bad Moms Christmas as counter-programming to all that wholesome holiday fare. But these aren’t regular showtimes you can plan a week ahead. They’re pop-up events, usually announced with about as much notice as your kids give you when they need cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.
The theatrical landscape changed dramatically after 2019. Remember when everyone thought Bad Moms 3 was happening? Yeah, that got axed faster than you can say ‘sequel fatigue.’ And when the third movie died, so did any chance of keeping the first two in regular rotation.
Why Bad Moms 3 Getting Cancelled Killed Theater Showings
Picture this: It’s 2019. STX Entertainment is riding high. They’ve got two successful Bad Moms movies in the bag, and everyone’s talking trilogy. Theater chains are already clearing holiday schedules. Marketing departments are drafting wine-themed promotional tie-ins.
Then… nothing. Radio silence. The third movie gets quietly shelved.
Here’s what went down. The cancellation wasn’t about money. Bad Moms Christmas made serious cash, especially considering they bumped the release date just to dodge Thor: Ragnarok. Smart move, honestly.
The real killer? Scheduling and reality. By 2019, getting the cast together was like herding cats. Expensive, busy cats. Mila Kunis was booked solid. Kristen Bell was literally in everything. Kathryn Hahn was about to become everyone’s favorite witch in WandaVision. Coordinating their schedules became more complicated than actual moms trying to plan a night out.
When STX pulled the plug on Bad Moms 3, theater chains took the hint. No new movie meant no reason to keep the old ones around. Theater space is precious. Why show a three-year-old comedy when Marvel’s got another superhero ready to print money?
The death was swift. By late 2019, both films had vanished from regular screening schedules. Sure, they lingered in dollar theaters for a bit. But mainstream multiplexes? They moved on.
What really sealed the deal was streaming. By 2020, everyone could watch Bad Moms at home in their actual mom uniforms. You know, the yoga pants that haven’t seen a yoga class. Ever. Theaters lost their monopoly, and comedy doesn’t need IMAX to hit the same.
How to Actually Watch Bad Moms in Theaters Today
Alright, here’s where it gets good. Bad Moms might be theatrical history, but it’s not extinct. Think of it like finding a Blockbuster that’s still open. Rare, but magical when it happens.
AMC runs these things called ‘Fan Faves’ and seasonal programming. Skip October – too much horror. But Mother’s Day weekend? That’s your shot. Last year, select locations ran Bad Moms double features. Four straight hours of mom rebellion. The catch? They announce these maybe two weeks out, and only in big cities.
Independent theaters are where the magic happens. The Alamo Drafthouse occasionally programs ‘Mommy’s Night Out’ screenings. No kids allowed. Phones locked up. Themed cocktails. It’s basically what the moms in the movie would’ve wanted.
Here’s a move most people miss: Facebook Events. Search ‘Bad Moms screening’ plus your city. Mom groups organize private theater rentals all the time. AMC’s group rate starts at $99. Split that between 20 moms, and you’re paying normal prices for a private party.
Don’t sleep on outdoor movie companies either. FunFlicks and similar services rent inflatable screens. Total damage? About $400-$600. Sounds steep until you do the math. Get 50 moms at $10 each, and you’re golden. Plus, nobody’s judging your wine consumption in your own backyard.
Some theaters still have the digital files sitting on their servers. That small, family-owned cinema downtown? Call them. If you can guarantee 30+ tickets, many will dust off the file and run it. One mom in Ohio got her local theater to show Bad Moms by pre-selling tickets through her book club. Sometimes you gotta be your own hero.
Timing is everything. Mother’s Day weekend is obvious. But mid-December? That’s when exhausted moms really need this movie. Pitch it as an escape from the twentieth viewing of whatever animated nonsense your kids are obsessed with.
Making Your Own Bad Moms Theater Experience
Look, searching for Bad Moms theaters the old-fashioned way is pointless. The game changed. You’re not finding convenient showtimes at the local multiplex anymore.
Instead, you’re the architect of your own Bad Moms theatrical experience now.
Set those Fandango alerts. Join every mom group on Facebook within 20 miles. Start that group text about organizing a screening. Be the mom who makes it happen.
Because waiting for theaters to magically start showing a six-year-old comedy again? That’s like waiting for your kids to clean their rooms without being asked. Not happening.
The moms in the movie didn’t wait for permission to have fun. They made their own party. Sure, yours probably won’t involve as much property damage or public intoxication. That’s probably for the best.
But gathering your crew for a big-screen viewing of Bad Moms? Whether it’s a private theater rental, a backyard screening, or catching that rare special event? That’s exactly the kind of thing Amy, Kiki, and Carla would approve of.
Just maybe skip the grocery store parking lot pre-game. We’re trying to actually make it into the theater this time.
